Casillas harbours treble dream

Real Madrid's Iker Casillas has targeted a treble this season, but recognises the challenge posed by Schalke in the UEFA Champions League.

Published

24 February 2014

The Spain international goalkeeper has had a trophy-laden career with the Bernabeu outfit, and counts five La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey medal and two Champions League triumphs on his impressive resume.

But Real have never completed the treble in their illustrious history. Indeed, the only Spanish outfit to achieve the feat was Barcelona in 2009 under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola.

Casillas is keen to buck that trend and collect a clean-sweep of trophies.

"I’d like the last piece of news for this season to say that Real Madrid had won the treble," he said in an interview with Bwin. "That on May 24, Real Madrid won the first treble in its history.

"We know it is difficult because there are other teams that also want to win titles. But we are where we want to be right now, which is fighting in all three competitions.

"I hope the headline we see on May 25 reads that Real Madrid has won every possible title."

Real continue their quest for a first Champions League triumph since 2002 in the last-16 first-leg tie at Schalke on Wednesday.

Casillas is expecting a tough encounter, particularly from former Real forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

He added: "Well they are a German team, a side that is physically strong. They are improving in the Bundesliga and after a shaky start they are up in the top four.

"They have one player, Huntelaar, who recently recovered from a serious injury, and I think they are dangerous rivals.

When asked how Real will counter Huntelaar, Casillas responded: "By playing as we have been in defence and allowing very few chances against us.

"We are solid in attack, with decisive players who are in good form and that has to be our style: to maintain the defensive line with the help of the rest of the team, while trying to score a goal ourselves in every chance that we get."